Exploring the Lives and Legacies of Justices Scalia and Alito

Few justices have played a more prominent role in shaping modern conservative constitutional thought than Antonin Scalia and Samuel A. Alito, Jr. Their lives and judicial careers offer a window into the intellectual, legal, and political developments that have shaped the U.S. Supreme Court over the past half century. Join the National Constitution Center for a conversation with two acclaimed biographers who have explored the personal histories, formative experiences, judicial philosophies, and enduring influence of these two justices. James Rosen, author of a three-volume biographical project on Justice Scalia, discusses his first two volumes, Scalia: Rise to Greatness, 1936–1986 and Scalia: Supreme Court Years, 1986–2001. Peter S. Canellos, author of Revenge for the Sixties: Sam Alito and the Triumph of the Conservative Legal Movement, examines Justice Alito’s life and career within the broader history of the conservative legal movement. Together, they explore the distinct paths that brought Justice Scalia and Justice Alito to the nation’s highest court, their approaches to constitutional interpretation, and their influence on American law and the Supreme Court. Julie Silverbrook, chief content and learning officer at the National Constitution Center, moderates. Before the program, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., guests joining us at the Center will enjoy exclusive access to America's Founding, one of our new permanent galleries. In addition, guests will also enjoy access to Pennsylvania’s Founding: How a City and a Colony Shaped America’s Civic DNA, a special temporary exhibition featuring rare documents, maps, artwork, and artifacts.